RK League insiders just dropped a bombshell — the Steelers are reportedly targeting a rising USC Heisman candidate as the future heir to Aaron Rodgers. With the franchise looking to secure its next era under center, this move could reshape the AFC for years to come.
Pittsburgh, PA – October 16, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are quietly crafting their next big move — a long-term quarterback plan that could define the post-Rodgers era in the Steel City. After years of patchwork solutions and short-term fixes, Mike Tomlin’s front office appears determined to build a future around youth, stability, and explosive offensive potential.
Inside team facilities, sources describe a sense of urgency that hasn’t been felt since the early Roethlisberger years. Aaron Rodgers, who joined Pittsburgh to stabilize the offense and mentor younger talent, is nearing the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. The Steelers know that once he walks away, the team will need more than a replacement — they’ll need a new identity.
That’s where Jayden Maiava enters the picture. The USC standout has caught the attention of Steelers scouts and league insiders alike, drawing comparisons to a young Patrick Mahomes for his creativity, pocket control, and confidence under pressure. According to early mock drafts, Pittsburgh could target him in the 2026 NFL Draft as their next franchise quarterback — a move designed to bridge the transition from Rodgers to the next generation.
Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan are said to be running a meticulous scouting operation, sending representatives to multiple USC games this fall. They’ve been studying not just Maiava’s stats, but his temperament — how he handles adversity, how teammates respond to him, and whether he can thrive in the demanding, defense-driven culture of Pittsburgh.
“He’s got the arm, the mobility, and the poise we look for,” one AFC scout reportedly told The Sporting News. “But more importantly, he’s got that fire. The kind of guy who can walk into a locker room full of veterans and earn their respect fast.”
To make the plan work, the Steelers would likely need to accumulate draft capital — possibly trading veteran depth pieces to climb into the top 10 picks of the 2026 draft. The front office views this as a two-year project: Rodgers would remain the starter through 2026, mentoring Maiava in the system, while offensive coordinator Matt Canada (or his successor) reshapes the playbook around the rookie’s strengths.
It’s a blueprint reminiscent of how the Chiefs groomed Mahomes behind Alex Smith — patient, calculated, and forward-looking. In that setup, Rodgers becomes the teacher, Tomlin the architect, and Maiava the eventual heir to one of the most iconic franchises in football.
For a fanbase built on legacy, toughness, and loyalty, the idea of a “Steelers 2.0” led by a dynamic young quarterback feels like more than a dream — it feels inevitable. The Rodgers chapter may soon close, but in Pittsburgh, the next one is already being written.
